National Tennis Training Camp, dining hall.

Yuzu Arisugawa faced the entrance and the main dining tables, her back to a smaller group including her cousin and, further back, the cooking stations.

Completely acting like she belonged, she exuded an air of command as she began her performance, as if she knew everyone there.

She didn’t notice the Elite Ten members, peeking from behind, unilaterally aware of her as a popular and talked-about figure from Totsuki, adopting a posture of anticipation.

“Congratulations, everyone, on being about to have a party night with both a dog and a cat!”

Peter, with typical dog-like enthusiasm, weaved through the crowd to Atobe Keigo’s side.

As expected of the dog’s owner, he exuded a unique aura in the crowd. The dog found him instantly! Quick, praise the dog, owner!

Peter stuck out his tongue, his large, dark eyes fixed on Atobe Keigo.

Atobe Keigo’s long, handsome fingers patted his beloved dog’s head with satisfaction. Even after such a long period of closed training, Peter was still a magnificent dog.

“You came this late just to steal my dog? Hn?”

Yuzu Arisugawa glared at him. “I’m rarely this kind, so how can you call it stealing? Did you see this big gift box? Your butler personally wrapped it.”

“I was originally going to pick up Karubin, but thinking that you’re also a pet owner, I decided to share the love.”

Being able to pet his dog immediately upon returning to Japan, Atobe Keigo was in a good mood, his tone upbeat. “Should I praise you for going to two places after school and still making it here before the end? Hn?”

Yuzu Arisugawa honestly denied, “Not really. I only went to Ryoma’s house to pick up Karubin. Peter was delivered by your butler.”

Atobe Keigo twitched his lips. “Then what kind act of kindness did you perform?”

Yuzu Arisugawa was brazen and spoiled. “I made a phone call.”

Not wanting to continue arguing with the dog person, Yuzu Arisugawa turned to Karubin, who was already in Ryoma Echizen’s arms, instantly changing her demeanor. She rushed over with a sweet tone. “Karubin, come to your sister for a hug~”

Karubin responded to Yuzu Arisugawa’s call with a sweet voice. It was a mutual longing; only Ryoma Echizen, whose arms were empty, was hurt.

He hadn’t seen Karubin for three months and three days. They had agreed to deliver warmth! Why steal the cat?

The tennis players from Rikkai had already surrounded them. A group of tall and muscular athletes were captivated by the fluffy fur of their junior’s beloved cat.

This was an internal secret of the Rikkai tennis club: the fake group favorite, Ryoma Echizen; the real group favorite, Karubin.

Yuzu Arisugawa watched them laugh and play with satisfaction.

If Karubin was the thread connecting Yuzu Arisugawa and Ryoma Echizen, then Yuzu Arisugawa was the thread connecting Rikkai and Ryoma Echizen.

This connection began on a large cat-loving website.

At that time, Yuzu Arisugawa had just established her career path as a pastry chef. She had the traits of a cat lover, but cat hair was forbidden for professional pastry chefs, so she couldn’t keep a cat at home, and instead became addicted to online cat videos.

The cat that made her feel most ecstatic was Karubin, from a US IP address.

She naturally got to know the cat’s owner, Ryoma Echizen.

She also learned that he was a prodigious tennis player.

So when he said he was returning to Japan to transfer to Seishun Academy, she, with a serious attitude of “Women fear marrying the wrong man, men fear entering the wrong profession,” lectured him about the disgusting senior-junior bullying incidents at Seishun Academy.

In Yuzu Arisugawa’s view, Ryoma Echizen loved tennis as much as he loved Karubin. He won trophies with such talent and ability—how could he go to such a terrible place where juniors were suppressed by seniors?

Would Ryoma Echizen be like Tezuka Kunimitsu, suppressed, hurt, and remain unknown for a whole year before daring to play openly?

That was Karubin’s owner! Yuzu Arisagawa resolutely scolded Ryoma Echizen across the time difference for a whole night, forcing him to stay up late.

Yuzu Arisugawa felt as much pity and regret for Tezuka Kunimitsu, whose tennis talent was exceptional, as she felt anger towards Seishun’s incompetent coach who hadn’t acted.

With Tezuka Kunimitsu’s talent, he should have, like her cousin Keigo Shinkura and childhood friend Atobe Keigo, stood out in the junior high school tennis world with absolute strength at the age of thirteen, active on the court.

But the reality was, Tezuka Kunimitsu was injured by a senior who was jealous of his talent, unable to perform high-intensity training, wasting time, and spending much time picking up balls for the person who hurt him. Finally, because he was forcibly pressured into the captain position by the previous captain, he poured his heart and soul into it, and even respected the coach who had done nothing to stop this atrocious event.

Yuzu Arisugawa, having followed the whole drama, felt like she had read a revenge story that had been abruptly discontinued in the middle of the night. The infuriating author stopped updating when the protagonist was suffering and hadn’t gotten revenge, and then the author announced they’d won the lottery and wouldn’t update anymore.

—Rage-filled fury.

She channeled her anger into collecting information on various high school tennis clubs, treating Ryoma Echizen better than even her childhood friend Atobe Keigo and cousin Keigo Shinkura, personally scouting locations and compiling data for him.

Although she subtly promoted Ice Emperor Academy, hoping to be close to Karubin, the overly detailed information gave Ryoma Echizen a deep understanding of Ice Emperor’s fan club, causing him to stay away and eventually go to Kanagawa.

Actually, Yuzu Arisugawa’s second recommendation was Yamabuki Junior High School, also in Tokyo. But Ryoma Echizen, having received all the information, wanted to go to Rikkai, which gathered many strong players. He loved playing against strong opponents.

Thus, Yuzu Arisugawa and Karubin continued their long-distance relationship.

It was a sad story.

During the closed training camp, Karubin was placed at the Echizen family home in Tokyo. Yuzu Arisugawa visited often during the summer break. This was her first time seeing Karubin since the start of school. She was so moved.

“I haven’t seen Karubin for a month. Let me hug him a little longer.”

Ryoma Echizen, in a declarative tone, his cat-like eyes fixed on Yuzu Arisugawa. “I haven’t seen Karubin for three months and three days.”

Oh, longer than her.

Yuzu Arisugawa reluctantly handed Karubin back.

The Shinkura siblings felt sorry for their younger sister (older sister)’s pitiful appearance, pulling Yuzu Arisugawa to their sides.

“Yuzu hasn’t had dinner yet. The coach hired a fantastic chef.”

“Yes, yes. Yuzu-nee’s favorite French food, very authentic.”

Yuzu Arisugawa had studied at St. Mary’s Academy in Paris for the past two years, so she had certain preferences, something her family knew.

Yuzu Arisugawa turned around, then met a pair of violet eyes.

Her feet wobbled, but she stood firm, her tone rising in surprise. “Senpai Shi?!”

Eisuke Shi’s cute blank expression was still on his face. Hearing his name, he weakly spoke, “What would you like to eat?”

Then, as if suddenly snapping back to reality, his expression changed incredibly quickly. His violet eyes shimmered like spring water under the light, a smile playing on his lips as he added, “Arisugawa-san, who loves French food.”

Yuzu Arisugawa’s green eyes glanced involuntarily towards Senpai Ryotan, who was waving at her.

Oh, the rest must be senpais.

Yuzu Arisugawa thought back and felt she hadn’t done anything out of line, so she straightened up, slightly raising her head as she walked forward. She surveyed Eisuke Shi’s cooking station, then casually waved her hand. “Senpai Shi, just cook. I trust you.”

Mieko Shinkura excitedly looked up and praised her. “This brother’s cooking is super delicious! Mieko loves it!”

Yuzu Arisugawa changed her mind, turning her head. “Then I want the same dish as Mieko.”

“Hai hai~ Here, here~” A lively boy’s voice cut in. “Little Mieko also loves my cooking. Junior, would you like to try some too?”

Yuzu Arisugawa followed the voice; it was a blond boy. He was a senpai.

She politely smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

The blond boy happily tossed the pan. Atobe Keigo behind him asked a question.

“Junior? You went to Totsuki Academy? You didn’t even tell me?”

Yuzu Arisugawa felt something was wrong. “Why does your tone sound like you’re questioning an unfaithful lover? I didn’t expect to pass the transfer student exam either. You’d been here for three months by then; it’s normal for me to forget.”

Three lines appeared above Atobe Keigo’s head. Others were also surprised, as few people knew Yuzu Arisugawa had studied desserts in another world. In these boys’ eyes, Yuzu Arisugawa was still that promising musical prodigy.

The leap from music to cooking was significant.

Akaya Kirishima, not understanding the others’ polite concerns, curiously asked first. “Eh? Yuzu-nee, you’re not playing the cello anymore? Are you like Senpai Marui, currently a tennis player but planning to open a dessert shop in the future?”

Yuzu Arisugawa took a deep breath, feeling the comparison was strange, but after a moment’s thought, she found it quite reasonable. She extended her index finger to the little seaweed-head, giving an affirmative answer. “Something like that.”

Maybe Akaya was quite sharp?

Yuzu Arisugawa thought.

Atobe Keigo casually commented, “I thought you’d be accepted by the Royal Academy of Music, after all, you…”

Before he finished, Yuzu Arisugawa’s murderous glare stopped him.

If you dare mention the fact that I didn’t meet the high school’s requirements for history and social studies and was rejected, you’re done!

Receiving this message, Atobe Keigo had already gone through all his embarrassing moments from the age of four in his mind.

He swore to heaven that Yuzu Arisugawa remembered more clearly than he did.

That’s the downside of being childhood friends; the other person’s embarrassing moments are all high-definition.

Atobe Keigo decided to shut up because he was a gentleman. After all, her embarrassing moments were also high-definition; mutual attacks weren’t glamorous.

“The first dish is ready, Cheddar bacon savory scones. Please enjoy.”